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As our understanding
of cancer biology has grown, we have found that each tumor has its own set of
genetic changes and use specific, individual biochemical pathways to grow and
escape natural defense mechanisms. Understanding these genetic changes paves
the way for individual, new and highly promising therapeutic options, and participating
in a clinical trial could mean receiving the best treatment available for that
specific cancer.

The Boston-based
startup Cure Forward is helping cancer patients access precision medicine, and
provide a service that seeks to connect cancer patients with clinical trial recruiters.
The service starts with the patient having molecular testing, which is then
used to connect the patient with clinical trials that could provide more
personalized treatments. While searchable clinical trial databases already exists,
Cure Forward allow patients to create anonymous profiles that describe their
disease and where they are willing to travel to participate in a clinical
trial. Recruiters set up searches outlining what types of patients they are
looking to enroll, and when a patient is identified the recruiter receives a
notification and issues an invite to the patient. The service is free for
patients and physicians, but charge trial recruiters a fee when they enroll
subjects.

Although it is
intended for patients to visit the website along with their physician,
selecting a trial after talking through options together, there is an
educational component to the service. The website host a collection of information
about mutations and genes, and their role in both healthy and disease states, helping
patients make better sense of what is responsible for their disease. In addition, the site aim to connect patients
with each other, allowing patients with similar cancer and clinical history to
find support.

Clinical trials are
key for advancing medical knowledge and patient care. Oncology clinical trials
are especially complex, and drug developers often struggle to find the right
patients to receive their investigational treatments. In addition, the current
system place undue burden on patients and caregivers to navigate the vast
landscape of medical options, and over 80 percent of cancer patients are seen
by oncologists who are not affiliated with academic institutions, limiting
their ability to find clinical trials. Cure Forward has developed a
simple-to-use platform that allows patients to obtain their genomic data and
use it to identify treatment options, while solving critical needs for
healthcare providers and clinical trial recruiters. The startup bridge the gap
between patients and precision medicine, giving them access to targeted
therapies and cutting-edge treatments that can make a difference in their life
expectancy. The simple, yet innovative service could play an essential role in
future advancements in the fight against cancer. It empowers patients, increase
access to best possible care, improve patient outcomes and care, while propelling
precision medicine and advance targeted treatments to the market more quickly.

Cure Forward has
previously raised $15 million in a Series A financing with Apple Tree Partners
being the sole investor, and earlier in 2016 announced that they had partnered
with Novartis to help them identify potential participants for their current
oncology trials. The startup plan an international expansion over the next
couple of years, and is also considering expanding beyond cancer.